# WorldView Legion 1

> commercial Earth observation satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q125818673](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q125818673)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/worldview-legion-1

## Summary
WorldView Legion 1 is a commercial Earth observation satellite operated by Maxar Technologies and manufactured in collaboration with RTX. Launched on May 2, 2024, it serves as the first unit in the WorldView Legion class, orbiting the Earth in a sun-synchronous orbit to collect data. It is part of the broader WorldView series of satellites.

## Key Facts
- **Classification**: Commercial Earth observation satellite; instance of the WorldView Legion model class.
- **Launch Date**: May 2, 2024, at 18:36.
- **Launch Site**: Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 4 East.
- **Launch Vehicle**: SpaceX Falcon 9 Block 5 (Booster B1061.20).
- **Orbit**: Sun-synchronous orbit.
- **Operator**: Maxar Technologies.
- **Manufacturers**: Maxar Technologies and RTX.
- **Mass**: 750 kg (launch weight); 625 kg (dry weight).
- **Spacecraft Bus**: Lanteris 500.
- **Identifiers**: COSPAR ID 2024-081A; SCN 59625.
- **Power Source**: Spacecraft solar array.

## FAQs
### Q: When was WorldView Legion 1 launched?
A: WorldView Legion 1 was launched on May 2, 2024, at 18:36 from Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 4 East.

### Q: Who operates and manufactured WorldView Legion 1?
A: The satellite is operated by Maxar Technologies. It was manufactured by Maxar Technologies in collaboration with RTX.

### Q: What rocket carried WorldView Legion 1 into orbit?
A: It was launched aboard a Falcon 9 Block 5 rocket, utilizing booster B1061.

### Q: What type of orbit does WorldView Legion 1 occupy?
A: The satellite operates in a sun-synchronous orbit.

## Why It Matters
WorldView Legion 1 represents a critical evolution in the WorldView satellite series, marking the deployment of Maxar Technologies' latest generation of Earth observation capabilities. As the first satellite in the Legion class, it validates the new Lanteris 500 spacecraft bus and integrates contributions from major aerospace contractor RTX. Its successful deployment expands the commercial remote sensing capacity of the United States, providing high-fidelity data for government and private sector clients. The satellite's placement in a sun-synchronous orbit ensures consistent lighting conditions for imaging, which is standard for high-resolution Earth observation but requires precise launch capabilities, demonstrated by its insertion via the Falcon 9 Block 5.

## Notable For
- Being the first satellite launched in the **WorldView Legion** class.
- Utilizing the **Lanteris 500** spacecraft bus architecture.
- Launching alongside its sibling satellite, **WorldView Legion 2**.
- Operating with a specific launch mass of **750 kg** and dry mass of **625 kg**.
- Being the **20th flight** of the Falcon 9 booster B1061.

## Body

### Development and Manufacturing
WorldView Legion 1 is a commercial Earth observation satellite identified as an instance of the **WorldView Legion** class. It was manufactured by **Maxar Technologies** and **RTX**. The satellite utilizes the **Lanteris 500** spacecraft bus and is powered by a spacecraft solar array. It was developed as part of the broader **WorldView** series of satellites.

### Technical Specifications
The satellite has a reported launch weight of **750 kilograms** and a dry weight of **625 kilograms**. It is identified internationally by the COSPAR ID **2024-081A** and the Satellite Catalog Number (SCN) **59625**. The craft is registered to the **United States**.

### Launch and Deployment
WorldView Legion 1 was successfully launched on **May 2, 2024**, at 18:36 UTC. The mission utilized a **Falcon 9 Block 5** launch vehicle lifting off from **Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 4 East**. The specific first-stage booster supporting the mission was **B1061**, flying its 20th mission (designated B1061.20). Following the launch, the satellite was deployed into a **sun-synchronous orbit**. This mission is noted as a significant event where it was launched concurrently with **WorldView Legion 2**.

## Schema Markup
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  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Thing",
  "name": "WorldView Legion 1",
  "description": "A commercial Earth observation satellite operated by Maxar Technologies and the first unit in the WorldView Legion class.",
  "sameAs": [
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  "additionalType": "Satellite"
}

## References

1. [Source](https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/worldview-legion.htm)
2. Space-Track
3. Jonathan's Space Report
4. [Source](https://nextspaceflight.com/launches/details/107)
5. [Source](https://www.maxar.com/press-releases/first-two-worldview-legion-spacecraft-performing-well-after-launch)
6. [Source](https://www.astrospace.it/2024/05/02/sono-arrivati-in-orbita-con-un-falcon-9-di-spacex-i-primi-due-satelliti-legion-di-maxar/)
7. [Source](https://space.oscar.wmo.int/satellites/view/worldview_legion_1)